The Ph.D. program in economics admits between 8 and 12 students per year and prepares them for a successful career in academia, government, international organizations, or the private sector. <\/span><\/span>In the first year, students take classes in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, as well as mathematical economics and economic history. In the second and third year, students take 21 credit hours of specialized classes in at least two of the following concentrations: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n Students can petition to combine at least two related classes to a nonstandard concentration.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n The application deadline for the Ph.D. program is January 1st for the coming fall semester. Successful applicants have strong quantitative backgrounds and a passion for research in <\/span><\/span>economics. <\/span><\/span>The<\/span><\/span>\u00a0application fee is $95.00 upon submission.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n Please direct all Ph.D. admission inquiries to economics@vanderbilt.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\n\n\n\n Our incoming students usually have an undergraduate degree in economics and\/or mathematics, with significant quantitative and math-intensive course experience. Many international applicants have a master’s degree. Research experience (such as an undergraduate or master’s thesis, or work as a research assistant) is a plus. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Base Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n English Language Proficiency Requirements <\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n When completing the PhD application, please enter "Social Sciences" in the "Area of Study" field, making "Economics" an available choice in the "Program" field.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n In your statement of purpose, tell us how your studies so far have prepared you for a Ph.D. program, and share what fascinates you about research in economics. <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Campus visits are offered to everyone admitted to the program. Visits consist of a half-day of individual meetings with faculty members and students, plus lunch. <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Q: What test scores do admitted candidates usually have on the GRE?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n A: Applicants often overestimate the importance of GRE scores for Ph.D. applications. The GRE tests whether you can do high school math quickly and correctly, as well as your vocabulary. Scores below a certain level (say, below 155 verbal and below 161 quantitative) tend to indicate problems, while very high scores do not necessarily guarantee that you are fully prepared for a Ph.D. program in economics.<\/p>\r\n\r\n For candidates who satisfy these thresholds, we look primarily at their preparation for a Ph.D. program in terms of how they did in the challenging courses they took in both advanced economics and math, rather than going only by their specific GRE scores.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Q: Do you have a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n A: The Graduate School recommends a minimum TOEFL score of 89 and a minimum IELTS of 7.0<\/p>\r\n\r\n Q: I am a native English speaker, do I have to submit proof of English proficiency?<\/strong> <\/p>\r\n\r\n A: All applicants to the Graduate School, regardless of citizenship, must either meet the waiver criteria or submit proof of English language proficiency. See the Graduate School requirements page for more information: Application Requirements | Graduate School | Vanderbilt University<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Applying to the Program<\/h2>\r\n
<\/i>Qualifications<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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<\/i>Information to Submit<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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<\/i>Statement of Purpose<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i>Visiting Campus<\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i>FAQs<\/a><\/h4><\/div>